For many people, traveling alone can be an anxious experience. After all, how do you know that you’ll be safe, and how will you know when you’re lonely? While traveling alone can feel isolating at times, it also presents its fair share of opportunities for self-discovery. When traveling solo, you can do what you want, when you want, you can meet new people and make new friends, you can learn more about yourself, you can have new experiences, and you can learn to be more independent.
Staying safe when you’re traveling alone entails more than just staying in a comfortable hotel room until your taxi comes to pick you up. As an extrovert, being alone for long periods of time can be uncomfortable, so you don’t need to stay cooped up in your hotel room for the rest of your trip. Instead, you can explore different cities and towns by staying with locals, and keeping your sense of adventure alive.
Here are some useful tips for staying safe when you’re traveling alone.
Stay Informed
Traveling alone can be isolating, but it can also be an opportunity for introspection. Staying informed about potential dangers can help you stay safe. When traveling alone, it’s especially important to know what to do in cases of emergency. When traveling to a foreign country, the first thing you should do is to find out important telephone numbers (police, emergency service, etc.) Sure, you may be thinking that everyone has internet these days and it only takes a few seconds to find such information, but what if you find yourself in a situation where your mobile data doesn’t work?
In addition to this, think about what you would do if your power went out or there was a natural disaster. Would you have a way to contact emergency services, your family, or friends? What would you do if the electricity didn’t work and your phone was discharged? Knowing these and other emergency procedures can help you stay safe when traveling alone.
Be Alert And Attentive
Traveling alone isn’t the time to be lounging around the hotel room, either. Whether you are traveling to a safe or less secure destination, always be alert and attentive to your surroundings. If a person or thing seems out of place, pay attention to your surroundings even more. If you think you’re being followed or if you notice any suspicious activity, leave the place immediately. The same goes for public transportation. Pay attention to your surroundings both on and off of the transport system.
The truth is, you never know what might happen, no matter whether you are in the safest destination or not, so it’s important to keep your eyes open.
Lock Your Door
This one is a no-brainer, but it’s important to remember. When you’re staying alone, it’s tempting to leave your door open and leave your belongings out in the open. While it feels freeing, it’s a bad idea. It’s easy to get distracted or fall asleep, and someone could walk into your room and steal your belongings. For peace of mind, double-check that your room door is locked.
If you like to party or have a drink while traveling, this is especially important.
Stay Away From Dark Alleys And Secluded Areas
Even though you’re staying with locals, you should still be cautious. Stay away from dark alleys, secluded areas, patios, or any other areas that look out of place. By doing so, you can stay safe and avoid any potential problems.
I know from my own experience that there are secluded areas that are very tempting but keep in mind that safety should always be your priority no matter what, and risking really isn’t worth it, especially if you feel there could be a potential danger.
Always Trust Your Gut
If your gut tells you something is wrong, it probably is. If you are a confident and experienced traveler, then you may be more likely to trust your gut instinct when making decisions while on the road. However, if you are less experienced or traveling to a country that is unfamiliar to you, it may be wise to err on the side of caution and not take any unnecessary risks.
Ultimately, it is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each situation and make the decision that feels right for you. But still, you will lose nothing by listening to your gut.
Make Good Decisions
When you’re traveling alone, you don’t want to make bad decisions. Your judgment should be at its best when you’re traveling alone because you’re more prone to making mistakes. In order to stay safe when traveling alone, you need to make good decisions. When you’re out and about, you need to make sure that you’re making smart decisions. You don’t want to make impulsive decisions while you’re out traveling alone.
For example, if you have limited time and want to visit a place where only two buses run daily, make sure it is a good decision, otherwise, you will have to pay for an expensive taxi and/or if it is in nature, you can get stuck there overnight.
Learn To Say NO
Learning to say no is very important in life in general. And it’s especially important when you’re traveling alone. When you travel alone, people are more attracted to you. They want to be with you, talk to you, show you their city, or offer you their goods.
For example, if you visit a local market and a vendor forces you to buy his goods, don’t say yes to everything and don’t waste money on something you don’t need. Or when you meet someone you don’t like and who invites you to dinner, don’t be afraid to say you’re not interested or busy. If they don’t want to accept no for an answer, simply leave.
Conclusion
Traveling alone can be exhilarating, but it can also be difficult, isolating, and scary. For many people, this can be even more true when you’re traveling alone as a woman. Thankfully, staying safe while traveling alone is something that you can do by following these tips. By doing, you can make your trip a little safer and more comfortable.
